Nokian Haak 1 questions...

OK, so the Nokian Haak 1 is great in the snow, but how is it in dry and wet conditions? Can this tire handle at all? Bottom line...I live in CT. Yes, it snows here, but ya' never know what kind of winter it is going to be! Yes, I venture north, to Vermont to ski. In CT they plow all roads, in Vermont they don't. I don't think I'd be driving my A4 up there more than 6 times. Should I go for the Nokian Haak 1's, or go for a tire that is better in dry and wet conditions, like the Nokian NRW, or Pirelli Assimetrico 210, or Dunlop Graspic? Any comments appreciated! Thanks. JT 99' 1.8Tqms

JT,
I too live in CT and had the same dilemna that you are having.

I eventually went with the Hak 1s based on reading virtually every post re: snow tires on this archive. Basically, I wanted a tire that 1) I would not regret purchasing when the road conditions get very sloppy, 2) would not sacrifice too much on dry/wet surface, 3) good treadlife (20,000+ miles).

I put my Hak 1s (205/55-16s)on my OEM 7-spokers about 6 weeks ago. Observations:
-They are definitely noiser that the 8000e. Although not unbearable, this is the most dissapointing aspect of the tire so far. I guess it is a drawback of an aggressive tread design.
-They don't feel as solid as the 8000e but I am very happy at the overall performance. I've only got them to squeal once in a very aggressive high speed turn.
- No snow yet. But I'm hoping....

Good Luck.
Chris L. 98 1.8TQS

I live in So. California - it doesn't snow here. But I commute on weekends to the Sierras for skiing, pretty much every weekend during the winter. The Sierras are famous for lots of snow.

Talking it over with my dealer, trying to decide between Hakka 10's and NRW's, he talked me into NRW's. His take was that the full blown snow tires would be great if I lived there but wouldn't be all that hot for the commute.l

Taking his advice, I got the NRWs. I 've had them for a couple of winters and I'm delighted. They work OK for normal driving, and have never let me down in the snow. With Quattro, they're great.

BTW, NRW's are 195/65-15. I heartily recommend them.

Chris, I've been talking to JT about tire choices.
Maybe we should get together for a comparison. I'm kinda surprised that the Hakka 1's aren't much different from your SP8000(?) I went from 225/50/16 SP 8000 to NRW on 5 spoker and I really can tell the difference. My car has the H&R sport springs so it's close to the sport. Anybody want to do a test?

Bill

Don't get me wrong... I can definitely feel (and hear) the difference! My point was that in everyday commuting/run-around-town driving, I don't feel that I've made a terrible sacrifice in performance. I am sure that if I if I was chasing a DB7 on a twisty mountain road, I would have a very different opinion. My days of "rocketing" around have been tempered by wife, kids, big mortgage, etc - so my views are probably from a more conservative driving style... (although each day I'm coming closer to taking the plunge for either a TAP or Neuspeed chip!)

Anyway, I'd be happy to try to arrange to get together - I think there is a tri-state club that may want to arrange something up our way? I am in the Norwalk/Darien area.

Chris L.

ps - what size NRWs are you running?

I used them in the winter on my Coupe Quattro for 2 years, as I remember (195/65 vs 20/60 summer Yoko HRs).. Were noticeably poorer than the Yoko in dry cornering/braking, so if you are driving like Michael Schumacher in the Japan GP, watch it. For daily normal use, you'll likely notice the reduced sdewalls stiffness, but otherwise shouldn't be that much different exc. for longer breaking distances and earlier "lockup".

Howdy..

Just posted about my adventures from Northern Michigan to Seattle in the A4Q-sport, in case you
want to look back a bit. I sure didn't on the drive. It was a combination of high speed driving in the
Dakotas and Montana, and then twisty mountain two lanes from Western Montana to Seattle.

The Hak 1's didn't let me down. While they certainly aren't the best/safest tire on the dry interstate
with the cruise on 95mph+, they can handle it in the straights (not as well on the bends or with strong
crosswinds), and do well in general with the cruise at 85. In combination with cautious driving (i.e, slow),
I felt safe on the deserted roads of Glacier National Park (probably the ONLY time I'll be on the Going-to- the- Sun Road with no one else in sight!). Especially satisfying to be in Glacier with only A4 tracks visible on the way in and out! Next, route 20 (check the map!) through the North Cascades of Washington provided an excellent test and a great ride (will post pic soon). Did the twisties decently at lower elevations and dry pavement, and handled the snow/ice safely at the higher elevations. (You still have to slow down, don't get me wrong--these tires don't defy the laws of physics and not drive like an idiot)

I still maintain that despite the noise (accurately described below), which is defeatable via the stereo, the Hak 1's are a great compromise if snow / ice traction takes priority over dry traction capabilities. If not, then get the Dunlop Winter Sport M2's, Pirelli Winter 210s or Asimmetrico, etc.

Have fun out in the snow * * * * * * *

Rich
'98 2.8Q sport, winter#2

My 2 cents worth, I've run haka 1's year round on my Subaru Outback and been pleased with handling...such as one gets with this type car. I'm going shopping for A4's today!

Rich,

You should have called! I would have shown you how good the Pirellis are vs. the hakka's on hyw 2. GTSR will nail you a big fat Federal ticket if you are not careful.

Let me know when you are back this way.